Accutane And Infertility (Page 14)

I took accutane almost 14 years ago as a teenager. I am now a 32 year old woman who has just been diagnosed with infertility that they believe is linked to autoimmune issues. I truly believe that accutane is the cause of this; from the research that I have done it seems that accutane has been linked to other thyroid-related diseases, but that they have not yet been able to prove a link between accutane and infertility. There are, however, actually more people like me out there than I originally thought. Being diagnosed with ovarian dysfunction has been a horrific, horrific blow. And while there was plenty of information about accutane and birth defects, no one ever mentioned a possibility of future infertility. I was a teenager! This is a tragedy and I believe something should be done about it. If you too have been affected diagnosed with infertility and have taken accutane, please email me. There are plenty of suits against accutance. If there are enough of us, we can come together to do the medical research and get the help we now need.

REPLY

REPORT

It states in the Rx info that it can cause irregular menses! It is a Chemo drug for rare brain cancers and was found to clear acne. Do you have severe cystic acne??? Have you tried diet,light therapy, other holistic remedies??? Do you have hormonal issues?

Infertility is just one issue, when you sign the forms and read the info, you will also have to worry about IBD, Chron's, Depression, Joint problems, bone problems, Diabetes, Alopecia...That's just a few!

My Advice Don't Take It! Besides pregnancy can cause acne and well Accutane is NOT a cure many have thier acne come back!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I don't know how helpful this is and my sincere condolences about your fertility issue.. all of our eggs are made extremely early on in life and "wait" mid-meiotic cycle to be released and fertilized. I agree that isotretinoin should be looked at as a cause of incorrect chromosome assortment, but if someone told you all of your eggs are bad, that suggests a problem that started when you were an infant. Glad to hear you were able to start your family though!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am a 53 year old woman, I took Roaccutane 18years ago, for moderate acne as my sister 3 years younger did.

She now has Ulcerated colitis and is not a well woman, I went through early menopause, and have had a 'gut full' of problems. Hair falling out, headaches, severe fatigue and joint pain, stomach problems (severe pain) and severe itchy welts which last for 2 weeks after being out in the sun (made me feel very ill with ). ...... all which I am being tested for lupus at the moment.

I honestly believe that these symptoms are all from taking Roaccutane. However, general practitioners give me the "what are you talking about, you took that drug 20 years ago" response. I wish there was more education about this hideous drug.....and the manufacturers should all be given a big dose of it themselves!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm male, took roaccutane 20yrs ago and now after a cople of years being unsuccessful at starting a family, at 36 I've been diagnosed infertile. Anyone aware of links to male infertility?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Lauren, I just wanted to say we have similar stats. 26, recently married, was just offered generic Accutane and will want to start a family in the next couple years. This drug is no joke, there are so many side effects both short and long term and I do not think I will be taking it. I wanted to thank you for all your posts.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I am 29 years old. I took accutane when I was 16, and have been diagnosed with unexplained I fertility. I do not ovulate at all. After completing a round of in vitro, when only 2 of my 28 eggs fertilized, they tested my eggs and said I have poor egg quality. I am the Only woman i my family suffering from infertility.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Millions of people suffer from infertility who have never been within 100 feet of Accutane. While Accutane is a harsh drug infertility is not a listed side effect. Maybe you are just infertile? It happens to people every day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I just thought i'd toss my two cents in here...I myself took Accutane 10 years ago and in the last few years developed endometriosis. Based on my research and experiences it seems to me that hormonal problems are not caused by Accutane. It's your underlying hormonal conditions which cause severe acne and force us to seek out Accutane as a cure for a symptom. Many autoImmune and infertility issues such as PCOS are due to hormonal imbalances. Hormone problems are likely what caused your acne and are causing you reproductive issues as well. It sucks, I know. But I wouldn't go beating yourself up for trying Accutane.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Well considering that Accutane is a chemo drug for cancer yes it can cause infertility! Not to mention the Rx info states that it can cause irregular menses in which could mean a host of problems.
Please people infertility is hard enough, but to be damaged by a drug and then have people come on here and say these things.....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am 27 years old. I took accutane when I was 17. My wife and I have had trouble getting pregnant. We found out that I have 0% motility in my sperm. I have not taken any drugs that are out of the ordinary in my life except for accutane. My family on both sides have absolutely no issues with infertility. I am the first. I'm also the first to take accutane. I'm very concerned that accutane is the issue here. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like a lot of serious studies on this... yet!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Do you any studies of spem motility from before you took isotretinoin? This issue has been studied and there have been no efffects seen on sperm.

In studies of 66 men, 30 of whom were patients with nodular acne under treatment with oral isotretinoin, no significant changes were noted in the count or motility of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. In a study of 50 men (ages 17 to 32 years) receiving Accutane (isotretinoin) therapy for nodular acne, no significant effects were seen on ejaculate volume, sperm count, total sperm motility, morphology or seminal plasma fructose.

Doesn't mean you are not the first, but this effect has been noted with Augmentin and Cephalosporin antibiotics and smoking.

Heat, pesticides, any of the estrogen mimicing chemicals which are now found in drinking water.

You might want to consult a male fertility specialist and possibly a tox screen for the chemicals associated with problems with sperm motility.

Actually, the first step is to repeat the test. Zero sperm motility is quite rare compared to decreased sperm motility.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

There are actually a lot of young men who have sexual dysfunction etc. from Accutane. There was many reports to the FDA back in the 80's/90 etc.. and actually Dr. Kevin Pezzi took Accutane and suffered. There is a forum by Dr. Crisler in Michigan he has treated many Accutane suffers with hormonal and dysfunction from Accutane, you could possible look at his site all things male. I am not sure there's much that can be done though for you on the sperm count and well Accutane is a Chemotherapy which can be known to cause infertility and if it can cause testicular atrophy which Roche admits then it could do anything... Good Luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello please check out the last two posts made by To on the forum in this link for reasoning behind sexual dysfunction in men after accutane. The posts were on July 18th. If the link doesn't show up, simply search accutane long term side effects on this med chat website.

Discuss/accutane-long-term-side-effects-191307_s2.htm?ts=549095

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello please check out the last two posts made by To on the forum in this link for reasoning behind sexual dysfunction in men after accutane. The posts were on July 18th. If the link doesn't show simply search accutane long term side effects in this med chat website.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

hello was wondering what has happened in your situation.....im asking bc my cousin wants too have a baby so badly and has been trying to concieve for quite some time now....without any results. we were talking one night about beauty skin etc and she mentioned accutane. i didnt really phase me too much but i started thinking....and then i started googling...and i found this. please let me know if you could. im very curious.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What is your email Sara?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi I took accutane in 2000 when I was thirty. 2004 picked up on hypothyroid. Now 42 prior 41 trying to get pregnant though I am older all of my test results lead me to believe I am functioning properly but failed ivfs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi I took accutane in 2000 when I was thirty. 2004 picked up on hypothyroid. Now 42 prior 41 trying to get pregnant though I am older all of my test results lead me to believe I am functioning properly but failed ivfs. Adding to this post my first post had an typo in my email address so I'm reposting this. Please email the one that starts with r in lieu of o. Please email me your findings, I am very upset!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was prescribed roaccutane when I was 19 or 20 . I am now 40 diagnosed with under active thyroid Approx 4 years ago and been unable to conceive despite trying for last ten years. Had tests can't find anything definitive but irregular ovulation and periods. I have always wondered whether a link as no one in either side of family suffers from infertility and its a large extended family.....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello. I think you are onto something. Wouldn't surprise me. I think accutane also harms teenage men as in it basically castrates them from within. I think it harms male genital growth. Many teenagers took this but did anyone tell us about the consequences on our reproductive systems. Basically vitamin A is toxic in large quantities; it is the opposite of sunshine and vitamin D which is the giver of life and very important for male health.

A big investigation needs to be done.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I took accutane as an early teenager and sense then my period cramps got progressively worse I am 20 years old now and I...

1 REPLY

i had an ectopic pragnancy,left tubal, salphingectomy, 4 years ago, since than m having pcos, late period only after tak...

1 REPLY

I have heard that after a lady takes a regestrone tablet once she will not be able to get pregnant for 6 months. Is this...

3 REPLIES

i have just started these tablets 5-6 days ago as i diagnosed with swelling in uterus. Just need to know about the uses ...

1 REPLY

I took roaccutane in 1996 and again in 1997. Each time was for around 6 months. I had a 6 minute tonic clonic seizure in...

31 REPLIES

I am wondering if there are any women who have completed their suggested doses of Accutane and had children later. Have ...

10 REPLIES

I took accutane in 2004 at 63 years of age. I immediatetly started having problems with triglycerides, eyes, diziness, b...

2 REPLIES

Has anybody found any resolve for fatigue induced by accutane? It's been years since I've been off, and I'm ...

2 REPLIES

Son now 35 yrs. took accutane as a teenager. When he was in his late 20's he developed gout. His purine levels were ...

2 REPLIES

I was on Accutane for 27 days. I had to stop because of muscle weakness and erectile dysfunction. It has been a month no...

1 REPLY